REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS USING PLANTS: A REVIEW

This review lists the environmental benefits from the presence of various plants regarding their application in removing contamination. From the review we concluded that Phytoremediation which is sustainable and inexpensive process, is fast emerging as a viable alternative to conventional remediation methods, and will be most suitable for a developing country like India. Most of the studies have been done in developed countries and knowledge of suitable plants is particularly limited. It is clear from the review that fast growing plants with high biomass and good metal uptake ability are needed. In most of the contaminated sites hardy, tolerant, weed species exist and phytoremediation through these and other nonedible species can restrict the contaminant from being introduced into the food web. Much more work needs to be performed to further confirm: (1) the correlation between transpiration gas and condensate water; (2) soil community contaminant degradation rate; (3) soil flux rate of VOCs; (4) contaminant exposure to the root zone versus sap and condensate water; (5) leaf litter exposure pathway; and (6) microwells to determine the zone of contamination.